Sunderland want intelligent forward – report

Sunderland have been busy trying to avoid a repeat of last season in The Premier League, when they made the most improbable escape from relegation. After playing really badly all season they suddenly decided to raise their game in the last month and beat all comers.

With 6 games to go and a fixture list from hell Sunderland looked dead and buried but they somehow started cuffing the big boys to keep their place in the top league. If only they could do that every week they wouldn’t need any signings!

But reality has bitten this summer and Gus Poyet knows he needs a lot more quality in that squad. He’s started to address the situation already and recent reports suggest that Sunderland are attempting to bring in a natural finisher. The Daily Mail reports:

Sunderland are showing interest in QPR striker Charlie Austin.

The 25-year-old scored 20 goals last season but Rangers have bid for Ajax striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and are keen on Norwich striker Gary Hooper.

You would have thought that with QPR coming up this year they would want to keep all of their goalscorers at the club. But there is always a huge question mark about whether players can successfully make the jump from Championship to The Premier League and Austin has it all to prove this season, wherever he plays.

Nevertheless Sunderland are reportedly keen and it’s easy to see why, based on his form last season. He’s an unerring finisher but also a really intelligent tooking player with good link up play and a great work ethic. He will be desperate to show what he can do next season in the big time.

Let’s have a look at him in action. Sunderland fans: Worth a shout or is Poyet barking up the wrong tree?